Everloop.com--An online social network for tweens

Site: Everloop.com

Creator: Everloop

Online Social Network

Everloop.com is an online social network site specifically designed for tweens.  It allows tweens to upload photos, customize their pages and join loops of interest.  With their parents' consent, tweens can join loops (or networks) for animal lovers, people who love to cook, or sing, or draw, or have any number of interests or hobbies.  With a definite slant toward thinking and learning, and transparency measures built-in for parents' peace of mind, Everloop offers an enhanced experience for tweens and begins the process of socializing children into responsible digital citizens.  With four tiers of privacy protection and adult moderators, Everloop.com boasts of safety for tweens.  It can also boast of impressive partnerships with children's publishers, and companies dedicated to enhancing science curriculum.  In fact, Everloop recently embarked on a new project with Simon & Schuster publishing company where tweens can download audiobooks onto ereaders and then participate in an online book club.  SInce tweens can upload photos and invite their friends, Everloop might prove to be quite popular with the tweenaged group.

Heads Up--Facts About Drug Abuse

URL: http://headsup.scholastic.com/
Creator: Scholastic

Heads Up: Real News About Drugs and Your Body is an educational collaboration between the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and Scholastic Inc. which offers scientifically based information on drugs and the effects they have on your body.  With interactive quizes, videos, blogs and free downloads, this site is a useful resource that is centered in the science of drugs use.  It's highest quality is the numerous fact-sheets that are available for download, and reproduction. 

However, I was a little surprised at the paucity of help this site provides for kids who might have a problem with drugs.  With a single, hard to find link to a private company that locates treatment facilities, and no mention of twelve step programs, or any other outside resources, this site may not be suited to those looking for help from drug addiction.

Caduceus: Staff of the Alchemist

Resource: Free Online Game
Creator: FableVision and the Childrens Hospital in Boston
URL:  http://kids.generationcures.org/play
Ages: 10+

In 2009, the American Library Association (ALA) named Generation Cures: Caduceus as an example of great interactive software for kids.  Noting that it was a free game that could be played online, I decided to check it out!  The ALA was right!  Caduceus is a great game!  It's not really a role playing game, but you do have to get into character.  A plague has killed thousands of your countrymen and you are a brilliant student determined to help find a cure.  Commissioned by the Children's Trust at the Children's Hospital in Boston, this puzzle-type game asks kids to think and encourages philanthropy.

Creating an account was easy.  The FableVision software laid down very specific ground rules.  They said I couldn't use my real name to login and, since they reserve the right to approve all user names, I figured I wouldn't be able to use my real name even if I tried.  I was also reminded about some rules of conduct.  No name calling, play fair, NEVER give my personal information, and so on.  I liked that FableVision was looking out for me.  To create my account, I needed an adult's email address.  Still, everything was spelled out nicely for any young user.

In addition to Caduceus, FableVision has many other products behind its name including: the Lure of Labyrinth game; and Animation-ish an animation program selected by the ALA in 2009 for its exemplification of great interactive software for kids.  They have created interactive websites for the likes of PBS, Jim Henson, and the National Academy of Sciences; and have animated many information videos for museums and hospitals.

GirlsHealth.Gov -- Be Healthy. Be Happy. Be You. Beautiful.

URL: GirlsHealth.gov
Creator: Office of Women's Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

This site offers comprehensive information about girls' health issues and is maintained by the Office of Women's Health.  I love this website.  It is very easy to navigate.  The information provided is easy to digest.  I love that it offers personal stories of kids who have experienced the various issues discussed.  I love that it gives factual and complete responses to questions about bodies, relationships, bullying, drugs and more; and that it offers links to other sources of help and information.  It's section on relationships is very valuable in that if offers advice on dealing with conflicts between girls and their friends, girls and their families, and girls and their boyfriends.  Oh, I almost forgot, I love that it has extensive information for Spanish speaking families.  Spanish speakers are given complete access as the entire website is well-translated.  It's amazing.  A very valuable resource for tween girls and anyone who works with them!

Guys Read!

URL: http://www.guysread.com/
Creator: Jon Sciezca

GuysRead, a great website, is the brain child of author Jon Ssciezca.  Actually, it's more like an online bibliography, or list of good books.  What I like Guys Read is that it lists the books in simple categories: "At least one explosion," "Funny," and "Boxer, Wrestlers, Ultimate Fighters" are just a few of the options guys can choose from.  I also like that within each category there is a wide variety of books to choose from.  From medal winners, to classics, to short easy books, guys are sure to find what they want to read!

GirlsLife.com

URL: http://www.girlslife.com/
Scope: Fashion, body, guys, family, school

If you love GL magazine, you will probably enjoy their online presence with GirlsLife.com.  My favorite section is the "blush much?" section located under the "fun stuff" tab because it contains very funny, very embarrassing, real life stories from girls.  The advise in the "tough stuff" section located under the "Life" tab is right on the money.  Most of the advise given under the "Bod" tab is appropriate for tween girls.  My only critique is that the suggestions given for issues about sex or violence presume that one has an open and honest relationship with one's parents.  Many tweens cannot turn to parents for help. Referring to professional agencies where girls could turn for help, would make this resource more valuable.  Still, I love the fashion, I love the gossip, and I really like this website!